Gary Owens

Gary Owens was a radio and television announcer and voice-over actor who was best known for the popular TV comedy Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In.

Born Gary Altman in Mitchell, South Dakota, in 1936, he acquired the name Owens in the 1950s, at the suggestion of a radio station owner in Omaha, Nebraska. He broke into broadcasting at 16, when he became the news director of South Dakota radio station KORN. He attended Dakota Wesleyan University and went on to work for radio stations throughout the U.S.

He entered the Los Angeles market in 1961, when he became an on-air personality at KFWB-AM; later, he had a lengthy tenure with KMPC-AM.

In Los Angeles, Owens segued into television as a writer for animated series produced by Jay Ward, of Rocky and Bullwinkle fame. His sonorous voice led to acting work as well.

On Laugh-In, which aired on NBC from 1968 to 1973, Owens, appeared in all 140 episodes. The show, hosted by comedians Dan Rowan and Dick Martin, featured such cast members as Ruth Buzzi, Judy Carne, Henry Gibson, Goldie Hawn, Arte Johnson and Lily Tomlin.

Animation provided him with steady work for more than 50 years. His long list of credits included Space Ghost, The Green Hornet, Yogi’s Space Race, Dynomutt Dog Wonder, Eek! the Cat, The Ren & Stimpy Show, Garfield and Friends and Buzz Lightyear of Star Command.

Owens died on February 12, 2015, in Los Angeles. He was 80.